Trauma, loss and compulsive hoarding

Life by its very nature includes difficulties and traumas: death, major illness, overwork etc. Nearly everyone can identify with descriptions of homes that become untidy and disorganised, because the owners don’t have the time or the energy to clear up.

There are instances where anger at what is happening to them is taken out on their homes. For most of us this is a transitory condition that is corrected with time and recovery from the trauma. For others it can be the first step to becoming a compulsive hoarder.

There are researchers looking for the traumatic events that might trigger compulsive hoarding.